SHORELINE — A long bus ride to play in hostile territory doesn’t usually forebode success.
For Archbishop Murphy, an undefeated Cascade Conference leader, it was particularly worrisome given the fact that they were visiting conference co-leading King’s, also undefeated in league play.
Yet, there were the Wildcats Thursday night, seemingly undeterred as MaireMichael Carroll’s sharpshooting propelled them to a 17-9 first quarter lead and ultimately, a 49-44 victory.
The junior guard hit four 3-pointers in the first half as part of her 13 points to give the Wildcats a 32-22 halftime advantage.
“(Carroll) was on fire in the first quarter,” Archbishop Murphy head coach Mark Bircher said. “So we jumped out to an early lead which is fortunate because they were just battling, battling, and battling.”
Beth Carlson finished with a team-high 14 points for the Wildcats, supplementing Carroll’s output.
On the other end of the floor, Joclyn Kirton could not be stopped.
“Kirton was a load for (King’s),” Bircher admitted. “We threw everything and the kitchen sink at her and yet she was able to get her points. I’m going to have to go to her graduation just to see it in person. We’re definitely looking forward to that.”
Despite Kirton’s big game (she finished with a game-high 21 points), Murphy was able to hang on due in large part to its perimeter defense. Even with its 10-point halftime lead, the Wildcats never felt safe knowing the Knights’ ability to shoot the 3.
“It was a huge game. I mean it was a big game for us, going into King’s,” said Bircher. “They have girls that can shoot the lights out … So we applied a lot of pressure to them to prevent them from going off. I think we did a good job of holding them down.”
They did, holding King’s to just 22 second half points and thus, giving the Knights their first conference loss of the season. With the victory, Archbishop Murphy moves into sole possession of first place in its league (South Whidbey, which also entered the night 4-0 in league, lost to Cedarcrest).
At King’s H.S.
Archbishop Murphy1715116—49
King’s9131012—44
Archbishop Murphy—Carlson 14, Beck 3, Carroll 13, Gould 0, Schmidt 0, Cooper 6, Dye 3, Miller 0, Hassebrock 5, Maher 5. King’s—Mitsui 1, Rasmussen 5, Storkson 5, Hanson 8, Kirton 21, Hibbard 4. 3-point goals—Carroll 4, Dye 1, Maher 1. Records—Archbishop Murphy 5-0 league, 7-3 overall. King’s 4-1, 9-2.
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